Courses

News and features

Website areas

Creative Music Technology BMus (Hons) – 2020 entry

Why choose this course

This course offers a route to an exciting career in the arts and creative industries, developing the skills necessary for making innovative music in the 21st century.

We’re one of the UK's leading universities for music, with our courses ranked 2nd by the Guardian University Guide 2019. We also achieved 100 per cent overall satisfaction for this course in the National Student Survey 2018.

On this course you'll be taught by music technology experts and creative practitioners, and work in a unique environment using world-class professional facilities. You’ll also have the opportunity to collaborate with students from across the department.

What you will study

On this practice-led course you'll study the creative use of music technology using a wide range of industry standard software and hardware, preparing you for a broad range of careers in the creative industries. You'll choose from among areas of study such as electronic music creation and performance, sound design, music for moving image and creative music programming. You may also choose to study traditional instrumental music, including performance.

Our vision is to create 'thinking musicians', so this course will also develop analytical and interdisciplinary creative thinking and fundamental transferable skills. You'll develop a strong portfolio of works that will help you in your career, and the skills you need to create professional work for a broad range of media.

Careers and graduate prospects

Study creative music technology and you’ll develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a successful career in the film, TV live-event and computer-games industries.

Our graduates have gone on to become successful film and TV sound designers, producers and composers, and have found employment in music education, business and marketing, and have also achieved higher degrees and qualifications.

Study and work abroad

We give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities or by completing a Professional Training placement abroad. In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV. View our study and work abroad exchange information to find out more and see where you can go.

Please note: the status of the Erasmus+ scheme is dependent on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.

Facilities

Excellent facilities are available for Creative Music Technology students, including edit studios, performance spaces, a self-access computer room, practice rooms and a multichannel project room. This space houses the Moog Sound Lab (UK), containing the unique Moog System 55 modular synthesiser as well as premier synthesisers from other major manufacturers. Our students also have access to specialist microphones and mobile recording devices for location recording. The department also houses a Steinway concert grand piano and a collection of instruments, some of which may be loaned to students.

You’ll have access to a well-stocked audio-visual room, with digital and online listening resources, plus an extensive archive collection of scores/cassettes/LPs/CDs located in the nearby University Library.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations, and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) as a guide as to what to expect.

Please note: our offer terms and conditions will be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read more.

Academic year structure

The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.

The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60 credits.

The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.

Modules

Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.

Please note: If there is an optional Professional Training placement as part of your course, you can view the full module listing for this on the relevant programme specification.

In Year 1 students take all compulsory modules and select three optional modules, one in Semester 1 and two in Semester 2. In Semester 2 choose either Topic Study 1A or 1B, PLUS either Music Project 1B or Pathways in Musicianship B.

Students are required to take one compulsory module, and to choose optional modules to complete the programme of study according to the following rubric,:
- Select two modules in Semester 1 and three in Semester 2
OR
- Select three modules in Semester 1 and two in Semester 2

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday–Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the course administrators. View our Timetabling Policy (PDF).

Teaching

You will gain your skills through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. We make appropriate teaching materials available to you through our online e-learning system, SurreyLearn.

Practice rooms, edit suites and self-study areas are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether your classes are practical or theoretical, you will develop your skills through a combination of academic, theoretical and creative practice led by teaching staff who are qualified to approach topics from all points of view.

Research students will sometimes help to deliver your modules. These students will be researching in a similar subject to the module, and will have undertaken training prior to being invited to teach. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.

Staff

Programme leader

Personal tutor

All taught students are assigned a personal tutor before beginning a programme of study. Personal tutors offer support and advice to students in the areas of:

Academic progress

Pastoral/welfare issues

Personal/professional development and employability.

Assessment

Modules are assessed individually and credits are awarded for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and reports. Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.

Contact hours

Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.

Learning and disability support

We have two services, Academic Skills and Development and the Disability and Neurodiversity Service which can help develop your learning.

Academic Skills and Development

Academic Skills and Development is a learning space in the Library where our learning development team is based. It comprises dedicated Student Learning Advisers and Information Skills Librarians who can help you develop your academic and research skills, including writing, presenting, revision and critical thinking.

Disability and Neurodiversity Service

The University’s Disability and Neurodiversity Service supports students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, specific learning differences (such as dyslexia and dyspraxia) and other neurodiverse conditions (including autism spectrum and attention deficit disorder).

If you tell us about any conditions and register with us, we can give you appropriate support during your studies.

We can arrange exam and learning support adjustments, give advice on applications for the Disabled Students' Allowance, and test you for dyslexia and dyspraxia. We can also offer regular study skills and mentoring support.

English language support

Our English Language Support Programme (ELSP) provides tailored English language support during your studies. It is particularly valuable to students who speak English as a second or additional language, but native speakers are also welcome.

What qualifications do you need?

A-level

Overall: ABB-BBB

Required subjects: Music or Music Technology. Grade 5 theory (ABRSM) or equivalent proficiency is also required.

Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element.

Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language at Grade C(4) and Mathematics at Grade C (4) (or equivalent).

Welsh Baccalaureate

Overall: Pass overall with ABB-BBB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels.

Applicants taking an A-level science subject with the Science Practical Endorsement are required to pass the practical element.

Required subjects: A-level Music or Music Technology at grade B.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics ­– Numeracy as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate. Please check the A-level drop down for the required GCSE levels.

Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.

Other international qualifications

If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year, run by the Surrey International Study Centre.

Select your country

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here. The University of Surrey is also an IELTS test centre.

Selection process

Suitable applicants will be asked to bring a portfolio of computer-based compositional work to an interview day. Offers are normally made in terms of grades following a successful interview. During your visit to the University, you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.

If you are based overseas and unable to attend an interview, you will be assessed via a Skype interview and by submitting a portfolio of work.

If you can demonstrate exceptional academic performance in your schooling to date, you could be awarded an unconditional offer following the interview as part of the University’s Unconditional Offer Scheme.

Recognition of prior learning

The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If this applies to you, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience, or to join the start of a course without the formal entry requirements. This means that you may be exempt from certain elements of study in the course for which you have applied and be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.